in the foot with two vertical rods with nuts at the lower ends. The bolt
is stationary in the foot, the ankle working on the upper surface of the
bolt, leaving no possible chance for an accumulation of any grit or dirt,
thus making a self-cleaning joint. The steel rod, together with the front
and back cords, connects the foot and the ankle. Provision is made for
tightening the ankle rod with a nut on the upper end, so as to regulate
the friction on the bolt and to compensate for any wear that may take
place at the joint. This is recommended as being the strongest and most
serviceable of the wooden feet. No. 218.
_A New Foot with Rigid Ankle_
This is not properly a rubber foot, but a modification of the so-called
rubber foot suggested by improvements on our WALKEASY foot. In the
construction of the old-style rubber foot a wooden core is covered with
rubber and properly cured or vulcanized by heat. It is impossible to
strengthen or reinforce this wooden core with a covering of rawhide as is
done on the other parts of an artificial leg, because the heat necessary
in vulcanizing the rubber burns and ruins the rawhide. This is obviated
by the method of construction of this new foot.
The upper part of the foot is firmly attached to the ankle part by a pin,
and the entire wood part is covered with rawhide. Thus the upper part
of the foot forms practically one piece with the ankle, and strength is
gained without adding weight. The sponge-rubber removable sole is fitted
into a recess channeled in the foot and is securely held in place by one
screw. No rubber is used at the top of the foot, but more is used on the
sole where it is most needed.
If a foot needs be made extremely light a fine quality of felt is used in
place of the rubber. The felt does not give as much spring and elasticity
to the tread of the foot as the sponge rubber, and nothing is gained by
using it except reduction in weight.
[Illustration: 216 217 218 267]
To prevent wear at the part corresponding with the toe joint of the
natural foot, layers of canvas are cemented on the upper surface of the
rubber sole where it comes in contact with the extreme forward part of
the wooden portion. Should the rubber sole give way or wear out, the worn
part, or indeed the entire sole, may be renewed at small expense without
the necessity of replacing the entire foot as in the old style of rubber
foot.
Altogether this is a lighter, stronger and more serviceable foot, more
easily and inexpensively kept in order. A sectional view of this foot is
shown in No. 267.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: 220 221 222 223]
NUMBER 220
Full length leg for thigh amputation, with wooden foot, ankle
joint No. 216, 217 or 218, and adjustable leather lacing
socket. Price, complete, $50, warranted for one year; $60,
three years; $70, five years.
NUMBER 221
Full length leg for thigh amputation, with wooden foot, ankle
joint No. 216, 217 or 218, and wooden socket. Price, complete,
$50, warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
NUMBER 222
Full length leg for thigh amputation, with new foot, with rigid
ankle No. 267, and adjustable leather lacing socket. Price,
complete, $50, warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70,
five years.
NUMBER 223
Full length leg for thigh amputation, with new foot, with
rigid ankle No. 267, and wooden socket. Price, complete, $50,
warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
[Illustration: 224 225 226 227]
NUMBER 224
Knee-bearing leg for amputation below the knee when the knee
joint is stiff and inflexible, or when stump is too short for
the successful use of a socket leg; new foot with rigid ankle
No. 267, and leather socket. Price, complete, $50, warranted
for one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
The sockets on Nos. 224 and 225 may be transposed, using the
leather socket on No. 225 or the wooden socket on No. 224.
NUMBER 225
Knee-bearing leg for amputation below the knee when the knee
joint is stiff and inflexible, or when stump is too short for
the successful use of a socket leg; wooden foot, ankle joint
No. 216, 217 or 218, and wooden socket. Price, complete, $50,
warranted one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
Leg for knee-joint amputation is made similar to the
knee-bearing legs and prices are the same. The upper part of
leg for this kind of amputation is made same as shown by No.
203 on page 26.
NUMBER 226
Leg for amputation below the knee, wooden foot, ankle joint
No. 216, 217 or 218, and wooden socket. Price, complete, $50,
warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
NUMBER 227
Leg for amputation below the knee, wooden foot, ankle joint No.
216, 217 or 218, and adjustable leather lacing socket. Price,
complete, $50, warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70,
five years.
[Illustration: 228 229 230 231]
NUMBER 228
Leg for amputation below the knee, with new foot, with rigid
ankle No. 267, and adjustable leather lacing socket. Price,
complete, $50, warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70,
five years.
NUMBER 229
Leg for amputation below the knee, with new foot, with rigid
ankle No. 267, and wooden socket. Price, complete, $50,
warranted for one year; $60, three years; $70, five years.
NUMBER 230
Leg for amputation below the knee, without knee joints or thigh
support. This style of leg is hardly suitable for stumps less
than six inches in length. With a sound stump of sufficient
length it may be worn with much satisfaction, as it is about
one-third lighter than one with the knee joints and thigh band,
and the wearer experiences much less restraint in its use, both
in walking and sitting. It is, however, not recommended if the
stump is sore or sensitive, as the entire pressure or bearing
must be taken on the stump, with no provision for relieving it
as with the leg with thigh band. No. 230 shows the leg with
new foot, with rigid ankle No. 267, and adjustable leather
lacing socket. A wooden socket with the same foot will be used
if desired. Price, complete, $45, warranted for one year; $55,
three years; $65, five years. If this leg is purchased, and it
subsequently proves unsatisfactory, knee joints and thigh bands
will be put on for $10.
NUMBER 231
Leg for amputation below the knee, without knee joints or thigh
support, wooden foot, ankle joint No. 216, 217 or 218, and
wooden socket, or adjustable leather lacing socket if desired.
Price, complete, $45, warranted for one year; $55, three years;
$65, five years. Any time after leg is finished joints and
thigh band will be put on for $10.
_Amputations at or below the Ankle Joint_
Amputations at or below the ankle joint are usually performed with the
expectation that much of the weight of the body can be borne on the end
of the stump or plantar surface of the remaining part of the foot, and in
most cases this can be done. Owing to the little space below the end of
the stump, it is desirable, with few exceptions, to construct feet for
these amputations without articulated ankle joints.
[Illustration: 232 233 234 235 236 237 270]
NUMBER 232
Leg for ankle-joint (Symes) operation, with new foot with rigid
ankle No. 267, without knee joints or thigh support. Price,
complete, $40, warranted for one year; $50, three years; $60,
five years.
NUMBER 233
Leg for ankle-joint (Symes) amputation, with new foot with
rigid ankle No. 267, with knee joints and thigh support, used
when little or no pressure or weight can be taken on the end of
the stump. Price, complete, $50, warranted for one year; $60,
three years; $70, five years.
NUMBER 234
Stump after amputation through or near the instep.
NUMBER 235
Appliance for partial amputation of foot. The foot is made of
wood, covered with rawhide, and has an articulated toe joint;
leather sheath coming up above the ankle, laced in front.
Price, $25.
NUMBER 236
Appliance for amputation through the instep similar to No. 235,
with sheath extending well up on the leg, and laced in the
back. Price, $30.
NUMBER 237
Appliance for partial amputation of foot. Wooden foot, toe
joint, leather sheath extending to the knee, with side joints.
This is used when little or no weight can be taken on the end
of stump, the weight being supported by the leather sheath on
the leg below the knee. Price, $40.
NUMBER 270
An entirely new style of foot for amputation at the ankle
joint. The leather sheath encases the stump from the knee
to the end. The articulated joint is made by putting the
bolt or cylinder entirely through the foot, giving a good
wearing surface similar to the artificial knee joint used for
amputations above the knee. If there is little room below end
of stump the foot would be made of hard wood.
_Peg Legs_
These low-priced legs are carefully fitted, and, excepting No. 242,
are covered with rawhide and enameled the same as the legs with feet.
They have heavy iron ferrules screwed to the bottom, in which a rubber
cushion is used. If desired at some future time, a foot and ankle may be
attached. Measurements, mould, profiles, etc., same as for leg with foot,
excepting that no foot measurements are required, and length of sound leg
should be taken with shoe on.
The prices include suspenders and stump stock.
[Illustration: 238 239 240 241 242]
NUMBER 238
Peg leg without knee joint, for amputation above the knee;
wooden socket; adjustable leather lacing socket used if
preferred. Price, including suspenders, $18.
NUMBER 239
Peg leg with knee joint, for amputation above the knee; shown
with wooden socket; adjustable leather lacing socket used if
preferred; automatic lock, making knee stiff in standing;
pressing the button in the back part of joint releases the knee
lock so that joint may be flexed in sitting. Price, including
suspenders, $25.
NUMBER 240
Peg leg with wooden socket, for amputation below the knee.
Price, including suspenders, if desired, $25.
NUMBER 241
Peg leg with adjustable leather lacing socket, for amputation
below the knee. Price, including suspenders, if desired, $25.
NUMBER 242
Skeleton peg leg for amputation below the knee, to be used with
knee resting on pad. The measurements required: distance from
knee to floor, diameter through the knee from side to side
outside clothing. State whether for right or left leg. Price $8.
_Suspenders_
All artificial legs for thigh amputations require support from shoulders
or waist. For amputations at or below the knee, except ankle joint and
partial foot amputations, it is desirable to have suspenders attached
for beginners. Many, however, discard them after a time. All legs that
we make requiring suspenders are equipped with them, any form desired,
without extra charge. We are not confined to the styles illustrated; they
will be modified to suit the purchaser or any peculiarities of the case.
[Illustration: 252 253 254 255 256 257]
NUMBER 252
Suspender for leg amputation with forked straps to be attached
to artificial leg below the knee; heavy elastic web between the
buckle and fork; this is a popular style. Price, $1.50.
NUMBER 253
A waist belt for women to which elastic straps are attached
in back and front, or the forked strap in front only. This is
for amputation below the knee. It is, however, often used in
connection with suspenders, which pass over the shoulders, on
legs for thigh amputation. Price, complete for leg amputation,
$2.
NUMBER 254
For women. Corset with roller suspenders attached to waist
belt, used when amputation is above the knee. This is a much
more convenient and comfortable support for women than any kind
of suspender straps. The belt or straps can be made to attach
to any corset. Price, including corset, $5.
NUMBER 255
Roller suspenders for leg for thigh amputation. Crossed or
looped behind and looped in front if desired. Price, $4.
NUMBER 256
The roller or pulley used on the roller suspenders. The action
of the straps under these rollers prevents drawing over the
shoulders, in stooping, sitting or lying down, the suspenders
remaining stationary on the shoulders. Price, 25 cents each.
NUMBER 257
Suspenders, partial elastic, of the ordinary pattern, for thigh
amputation; riveted so as to swivel on a leather strap laced
around the upper part of the socket. Price, $3.
The back part of the sockets of all legs for thigh amputations is padded.
This prevents the wear and cutting of the clothing when sitting on a hard
seat of any kind. Without the padding, destruction of the clothing can
hardly be avoided.
[Illustration: 258 259]
_Fitting Tool_
NUMBER 258. There are changes in stumps from time to time
requiring slight smoothing or easing out in the socket. A
wooden socket can most conveniently and effectually be cut out
with one of these fitting tools, such as are used by artificial
limb makers. Price, $1.50.
_Stump Socks_
NUMBER 259. Socks made from soft woolen yarn are the most
convenient and comfortable covering that can be worn on a
stump, with or without an artificial leg. With a properly
fitted socket, either wood or leather, it is as much padding
as is required. To compensate for shrinkage of the stump,
two or three extra socks may be added from time to time as
required. It is desirable, however, if the stump has become so
much reduced that more covering than this is needed, to have
the socket lined with leather or felt, and if it should still
further reduce, a new socket or top is the best remedy.
PRICE LIST
Delivered by mail or express on receipt of price.
=================+================+=======+=======
Length of |Circumference at| Price | Price
Sock | largest part of| Each | per
| Stump | | Dozen
-----------------+----------------+-------+-------
10 inches or less|Under 15 inches | $0.35 | $3.50
10 to 16 inches |Under 15 inches | .45 | 4.50
10 to 16 inches |Over 15 inches | .55 | 5.50
16 to 22 inches |Under 15 inches | .55 | 5.50
16 to 22 inches |Over 15 inches | .65 | 6.50
22 to 28 inches |Under 15 inches | .65 | 6.50
22 to 28 inches |Over 15 inches | .75 | 7.50
28 to 34 inches |Under 15 inches | .75 | 7.50
28 to 34 inches |Over 15 inches | .85 | 8.50
-----------------+----------------+-------+-------
One-fourth or one-half dozen at dozen rates.
Length of sock should be two or three inches longer than the remaining
part of the mutilated leg.
State whether amputation is above, below, or at the knee; give length and
circumference at top and two inches from the end of stump.
_Artificial Legs for Deformities_
We make limbs for all manner of deformities, each one specially designed
and constructed to conform to the individual peculiarities. With a
fair degree of strength in the deficient limb, comfortable support
and probability of easy locomotion are assured the wearers of these
appliances. Rubber or wooden foot can be used. Prices vary from $50 to
$100, according to the difficulties to be overcome in proper construction
and comfortable fitting. After receiving full description, exact price
will be given. A plaster mould or cast of the deformed limb should be
forwarded, together with measurements of sound limb, same as in case of
an amputation.
[Illustration: 243 244]
NUMBER 243
This cut represents one of the more difficult of the many legs
we are called upon to make for malformations. This particular
limb was made from measurements and cast of deformed leg (No.
244) without the presence of the applicant at the factory.
After one or two trials in the rough it was finished and is
being used with the utmost satisfaction.
_Price List of Supplies_
Elastic Web, 5 inches wide, per yard $1.00
Elastic Web, heavy, 2 inches wide, per yard .60
Elastic Web, heavy, 1½ inches wide, per yard .50
Elastic Web, heavy, 1 inch wide, per yard .40
Elastic Web, heavy, ¾ inch wide, per yard .30
Non-elastic Web, cotton, 2 inches wide, per yard .20
Non-elastic Web, cotton, 1½ inches wide, per yard .15
Non-elastic Web, worsted, tubular, 2 inches wide, per yard .30
Buckle, brass, 2 inches wide, each .05
Buckle Roller, single prong, ⅞, ¾ or ⅝ inch wide, each .05
Buckle Snaps .05
Felt, best fine wool, per ounce .25
Knee Spring, made from 5-inch web, complete, each 1.00
Knee Spring Rod, C, cut No. 260, each 1.25
Knee Bolt, for amputation above knee, complete, each 1.50
Knee Bolt End Screw, each .25
Knee Cord, with adjustable attachment, each 1.00
Knee Cord, without adjustable attachment, each .50
Knee Joint Bolts and Screws, each .25
Bushings for same, each .05
Lacing Strings, rawhide or buckskin, each .10
Lacing Hooks, each 3 cents, per dozen .25
Lacing Eyelets, ¼ or ⁵⁄₁₆ inch, per dozen .10
Ankle Cords, with adjustable top, complete with spring;
heel, each 1.00
Ankle Cords, with adjustable top, complete with spring;
front or side, each .75
Ankle-Cord Loops, without top or spring, each .50
Ankle-Cord Springs, heel or front, each .20
Ankle-Cord Wrench, each .25
Ankle Bolt, steel, each 1.25
Ball Socket for ball-and-socket ankle, each .50
Rotary Stopper for ball-and-socket ankle, each .50
Toe Cord or Rod with Bracket, each .25
Toe-Spring Rubber, each .15
Toe Fasteners, each .10
Rubber Cushion for bottom of peg leg, 2 inches diameter, each .50
Sent post-paid on receipt of price.
In ordering cords, if with the screw tops, give length from inside
of loop at one end to the other extreme end; if without the screw
attachment, give length from inside of loop at one extreme end to inside
of loop at the other extreme end.
_Price List for Repairs_
Neverchafe Socket, for amputation above or below the knee.
Inner leather, $5.00; outer wooden shell, $15.00; both $20.00
Wooden Socket, for amputation above or below the knee 15.00
Leather Lacing Socket, for amputation above or below the knee 15.00
New Knee, complete, for thigh amputation leg 15.00
New Knee, upper part only 8.00
New Knee, lower part only 7.00
New Walkeasy Ankle 15.00
New Walkeasy Foot, sponge-rubber sole 15.00
New Walkeasy Foot and Ankle 25.00
New Wooden Foot 10.00
New Rubber Foot with rigid ankle 10.00
New Foot and Ankle; wooden foot with ankle joint, or rubber
foot with rigid ankle 15.00
New Knee Joints 7.00
New Thigh Lacer, for amputation below the knee 3.00
Covering leg with rawhide and enameling, for thigh amputation 7.00
Covering leg with rawhide and enameling, for leg amputation 5.00
For other repairs, difficult of enumeration, a charge of 50 cents per
hour will be made.
PART III
ARTIFICIAL ARMS
The construction of artificial arms may be said to have commenced with
the sixteenth century. “The distinguished Chevalier Göetz fought at
the head of the army of Margrave Frederick from 1504 to 1562 with an
artificial iron hand. The fingers of this hand were closed one after the
other by the action of several springs. We are further informed that
this hand, which possessed enormous weight, enclosed the stump, and was
attached to the armor which covered the body.”
During the sixteenth century many very defective artificial arms were
made, which, however, served the purpose for which they were intended, as
they enabled the wearers to engage in battle, guide their horses, etc.
The artificial hand being once attached to the weapon or bridle rein,
mechanism for articulating the fingers was not deemed necessary.
Ambrose Parè, a noted French physician, born in 1500, and called the
father of French surgery, describes an artificial hand made of iron, with
more perfect mechanism than the one worn by Göetz; in this hand the thumb
is immovable and all the fingers are opened and closed simultaneously
under the influence of a single spring.
During Ambrose Parè’s time efforts were made to restore natural movements
of the lost parts in order to enable the maimed to perform all ordinary
labor. Leather, paper, and other metals were substituted for iron.
Parè leaves a figure of a leather hand, but without details as to its
mechanism; it is apparently made with immovable fingers and thumb, but
with a sheath inserted between the thumb and index finger for receiving
a pen, etc. He further describes an artificial forearm, which can, by
the aid of the sound hand, be brought into any degree of flexion and
maintained there by the use of a pawl caught into meshes of a cog wheel.
The artificial arms described by Ambrose Parè, although extremely heavy,
seem to have been in favor until the latter part of the eighteenth
century; at this time a monk of the order of Carmelites designed a hand
made of sheet tin, with movable fingers and thumb, to be articulated by
movement of the stump, but we are informed that it was too complicated to
be used with any degree of success except in cases of amputation near the
wrist joint. We have a description of an arm made subsequently of leather
and covered with sheepskin, colored in such a manner as to represent the
appearance of the human skin, and to make it appear more natural the
nails were made of white horn. The improvements in the hand were mostly
in the appearance, without any important addition to its utility or
usefulness.
In 1818 a Dr. Graefe suggested the construction of an arm susceptible
of manipulation by means of cords attached to a corset surrounding the
shoulders, the arm to be moved without the aid of the sound hand. This
principle of attachment for the movement of the forearm and fingers is
followed to the present time with various modifications.
The early history of artificial arms seems to refer mainly to their
special construction and application for people of renown who had
suffered the loss of their natural extremities. Until a comparatively
recent period the impracticability, on account of complicated heavy
mechanism, and the great expense of these appliances, precluded anything
like a general demand for their use. As the inventive geniuses of modern
times have devised and produced so many labor and time-saving instruments
and machines, that are, however useful, nevertheless the cause of much
horrible mutilation of humanity, so also have they in some measure made
compensation to the maimed by the progress and improvement attained in
the utility of the appliances for the substitution of lost members.
Simplicity of mechanism, the application of extremely light material in
such a manner as to preserve the necessary strength, are the prominent
features of progress in artificial arm construction, and in combination
with the prevailing moderate prices, bring them into popular favor with
those who have use for them.
However light, strong and mechanically perfect an arm and hand may
be made, its success or failure—provided the stump is sound and
of sufficient length—depends much upon the continued patience and
perseverance of the wearer in getting accustomed to its use. The
preservation of the form and the general improvement in the appearance
produced by a properly constructed and comfortably fitted arm, to say
nothing of its usefulness and convenience, should be an incentive to
persistent effort on the part of the wearer to habituate himself to it,
and if this is practiced for a few weeks there need be no fear of the
ultimate result.
_Sockets for the Stumps_
For amputation below the elbow the neatest and best fitting socket is
made from specially prepared stiff leather moulded over a cast of the
stump, supported with a framework of steel and lined with buckskin or
kid. The advantages over a wooden socket are that it is less clumsy,
adheres more closely to the stump, that there is no danger of splitting,
and withal is equally as durable. We make them, however, of wood if
desired. For amputation above the elbow the artificial elbow is made of
wood, and it is sometimes desirable to extend the wood upward in one
piece to form the socket.
_Aluminum_
Much has been anticipated and hoped for in artificial limb work from this
new and extremely light metal, but it has proved objectionable for any
parts in both arms and legs that come in near contact with the stumps,
owing to the rapid oxidization that takes place from perspiration, and
its practical use is confined to fingers, toes, and such other minor
fixtures as are not likely to come in contact with any part of the body.
_Artificial Hands_